Help Malachi Recover After Life-Altering Tragedy

Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted supporters,

I come to you today to share the need for help on behalf of my beloved and darling son, Malachi. As many of you know, Malachi was once a shining star in the world of basketball, a sophomore in high school with dreams of playing at the NCAA college level and beyond. His passion, dedication, and undeniable talent were destined to lead him to greatness on and off the court.

However, the end of summer 2022 brought an unimaginable tragedy that forever altered the course of Malachi's life. On his way to an end-of-summer sleepover, Malachi's journey took a devastating turn when he was struck by a drunk driver who was also under the influence of drugs. The accident left Malachi with a laundry list of injuries, including multiple brain bleeds, brain swelling, fractures throughout his body, and irreversible damage to his vision. He had to undergo numerous surgeries, leaving him with plates and screws that serve as a constant reminder of his ordeal.

The road to recovery has been arduous and grueling. Malachi's once-athletic body and once bright, sharp mind and memory had to relearn how to walk, eat, brush his teeth and shower (just to name a few). His determined spirit drove him through six months of intensive Orthopedic and Neuro rehabilitation just to regain basic functionality. All the while having half of his lifelong memories and academic aptitude and ability wiped away. Despite his immense physical and psychological struggles, Malachi's spirit remains unbroken. He continues to fight each day with the same passion and determination that once made him a star on the basketball court and in life.

In the midst of his journey, Malachi's dreams of playing NCAA college basketball have been jeopardized. The toll of his injuries, the ongoing medical treatments, and the intensive therapies required to manage his traumatic brain injury (TBI) symptoms have taken a toll on his academic and athletic performance. The dream that once seemed so close now feels distant and unattainable.

Malachi's resilience is awe-inspiring, but he cannot overcome these challenges alone. He requires ongoing medical care, specialized therapies, and alternative treatments that are not covered by insurance. The financial burden has become overwhelming for our family, as I strive to provide him with the best chance at a functional and independent life.

The accident that Malachi experienced was not only a physical and emotional ordeal; it also brought about unforeseen financial challenges that have deeply impacted our family. In the aftermath of the accident, I became his full-time caretaker, dedicating myself tirelessly to his recovery. This meant I had to put my career on hold, depleting our life's savings and leaving me without a stable source of income.

The reality of being a full-time caregiver for Malachi is both physically and emotionally demanding. I have had to be by his side every step of the way, cleansing his wounds, bathing him, feeding him, ensuring his comfort, attending to his medical needs, being his medical and academic care advocate and administrator, and providing the unwavering support he needs daily to rebuild his life. While this commitment to caring for him every day has been my incredible privilege and honor, it has taken a toll on our livelihood.

The financial strain of the accident has been overwhelming. Not only have medical expenses piled up, but the loss of income, benefits, and savings has created an urgent need for financial relief. We understand that the burden of financial instability only adds to the emotional weight we carry as a family. It is our sincere hope that, as a community, we can come together to alleviate this financial strain and provide our family with the breathing room we need for Malachi to continue healing.

Your contributions to this GoFundMe campaign will not only support Malachi's ongoing medical treatments, therapies, and academic and career pursuits but will also help restore a sense of financial security to our family.

Here's how the funds will be allocated:

Medical Expenses and Therapies (60%): Covering the costs of medical treatments, impending eye reconstruction surgery, medications, brain supplements, continued physical and neuro-rehabilitation therapies, and alternative brain treatment therapies, plus memory care to aid Malachi's recovery.

Family Financial Support (30%): Assisting Malachi's family in rebuilding their financial stability, keeping their family home, staying in their local community, helping with daily expenses, and providing a safety net during this challenging time. Contributing to providing Malachi with the comfort and consistency he needs to rehabilitate without the trauma of home and city displacement. Allowing him to remain close to his team of doctors, treatment centers, and stay connected with his academic support team at his high school.

Education and Emotional Well-being (10%): Allocating funds for academic support, tutoring services, alternative schooling options, and trade/skills training to help Malachi regain his academic footing and cope with the academic, career direction setback, and emotional aftermath of the accident.

The trauma and grief from this tragedy are immeasurable, and Malachi's spirit could greatly benefit from the knowledge that he is not alone in this journey. Your support will serve as a beacon of hope and a reminder that his dreams are still within reach.

Malachi's dreams of contributing to the world of basketball as a coach, trainer or sports manager may still have some potential. Or, he may be starting a new journey and finding a new dream more suited to his post-accident capabilities and functionality. With your generosity, we can help him regain his strength, both physically and mentally, and guide him back to a path of success.

Please consider donating to Malachi's recovery fund and sharing his story with your networks. Every dollar brings us closer to our goal and closer to seeing Malachi's bright smile come back and hope for his new reality.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your compassion, your support, and for standing by Malachi in his journey to reclaim his dreams.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Christa (Mom) and Malachi